CHICOPEE - Lorraine's Soup Kitchen/Pantry has issued an
urgent appeal for donations of dry goods and canned food
especially for groceries for the needy and hungry.

Charles E. Desmarais, a longtime supporter and member of
the Building Committee said Thursday, "Our shelves are
bare. We are appealing to the community for help."

He said the shelves at the kitchen's storage warehouse
at Callaway Golf which are used to daily stock the pantry
and kitchen are nearly bare.

"As soon a donations come in, they go out. There is a
need. Maybe it's the economy but we need help. On
Tuesday, we served 124 people at the evening meal and 122 on
Wednesday night," said Desmarais.

"We refill our shelves on a daily basis" and more
food is needed, he said.

Donations may be brought to the kitchen at 35 Center St. or
may be brought to local area churches where they will be
delivered, he said.

Desmarais said more contractors and organizations have made
a commitment to assist in the building of our Soup Kitchen
at a new site donated by Callaway Golf Co. on Meadow Street.

Plans are to build a 58-square-foot by 40-square-foot
building with a full cellar.

Desmarais said the latest donated materials and labor
include Chicopee Mason Supply providing all blocks at no
cost.

Tentative arrangements are currently being established with
Westover Job Corps for laying the blocks.

Westover Building Supply "has offered to assist us in
our needs for drywall and Chicopee Concrete will provide us
with our need for concrete at one half the regular
price," said Desmarais.

Pioneer Valley Concrete will provide necessary concrete
forms and labor for the footing while Pro-Tech Water
Proofing Solutions offered to waterproof the building with
no charges for materials and labor.